Galvanized steel (GI)
Galvanized steel is steel coated with zinc by hot dipping. It is the workhorse for enclosures, duct and any sheet exposed to moisture, because the zinc keeps protecting the steel even where the cut leaves it bare.
Materials
The materials we cut and how they behave
Every material behaves differently when you cut it. These are the ones we process in Tijuana and what you should know about each before you specify.
Electro-galvanized (EG)
Electrolytically deposited zinc. A thinner, more even layer than GI, a smoother surface and better paint behavior: the choice when the part will be visible.
Cold rolled (CR)
Cold rolled sheet, uncoated. Tight dimensional tolerance, clean surface and good drawability. It needs downstream protection: paint, coating or a controlled environment.
Hot rolled (HR)
Hot rolled sheet, pickled or not. This is the material for structure, bases and reinforcements, where thickness and strength matter more than finish.
Aluminum
Light, free of red rust and a very good thermal conductor. It scratches easily, so we handle it with separators and edge protection from the cut all the way to shipment.
Stainless steel
For hygiene, corrosion and appearance. It demands dedicated tooling and handling so the surface is not contaminated with carbon steel particles, which later show up as rust spots.
Capacities
What we can cut in each material
Carbon steel reaches 3.5 mm; aluminum and stainless reach 2.5 mm. Everything else in the table is shared.
Carbon Steel (GI / EG / CR / HR)
| Item | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.45 mm (0.017") | 3.5 mm (0.137") |
| Width | 500 mm (19.5") | 1,350 mm (53") |
| Length | 400 mm (15.5") | 4,000 mm (157.5") |
| Coil weight | 15 ton/coil |
Aluminium / Stainless
| Item | Minimum | Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 0.45 mm (0.017") | 2.5 mm (0.098") |
| Width | 500 mm (19.5") | 1,350 mm (53") |
| Length | 400 mm (15.5") | 4,000 mm (157.5") |
| Coil weight | 15 ton/coil |
Industries
Where each material usually ends up
Appliances and white goods
Cabinets, doors, side panels and trays all start as leveled sheet and slit strip. Here flatness and a mark-free finish are not a luxury: they are the difference between a door that closes and one that comes back.
Automotive and auto parts
Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in the region work with tight tolerance windows and traceability audits. We deliver strip and sheet identified by heat number, with the constant width a progressive die demands.
HVAC and climate control
Duct, plenums, air handler cabinets and covers. Galvanized is the sector's natural material, and slitting lets you feed the roll former directly without going through sheet storage.
Construction and architectural sheet
Roofing, façades, gutter, stud and light gauge profile. A badly cut width on a profile multiplies with every meter installed; that is why knife setup is checked by lot, not by shift.
Electronics and export manufacturing
Chassis, shielding, heat sinks and racks. Tijuana's export manufacturing has to answer engineering changes in days, not months: cutting here avoids the full cycle of importing already-processed sheet.
Metalworking and metal fabrication
Stamping, bending, welding and plate shops that buy material already fit to run. We are the link between the mill, which sells full coils, and the shop, which needs the exact size.
Next step
Send us the size and we will tell you what can be done
A cutting quote should not take days. Write to us with material, gauge and size, and we will come back with price and a committed date.